Waterproof

Facing Reality: The Swedish Cold Water Experts

Most dive brands are based in sunny California or the Mediterranean. Waterproof is based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Founded in 1984 by brothers Göran and Björn Ehlmé, Waterproof was born from a simple necessity: to survive the freezing waters of the Nordics. Their philosophy, “Facing Reality,” acknowledges that diving is often cold, wet, and demanding.

Waterproof didn’t just make suits; they sculpted them. They introduced 3D anatomical sculpting to neoprene drysuits and wetsuits, creating pre-bent arms and legs that fit the human body in a diving position. This reduced water movement inside the suit and eliminated the constrictive feeling of traditional gear. Their W1 wetsuits and D7 drysuits are instantly recognisable by their high-quality construction and attention to detail.

Perhaps their greatest gift to the UK diver is the ISS (Integrated Silicone Seal) system. Waterproof revolutionised the drysuit market by creating a user-changeable seal system. No longer does a torn wrist seal mean a missed dive and a costly repair shop visit. With ISS, you can swap a seal in two minutes on the boat deck. For the self-sufficient British diver, Waterproof is the ultimate armour against the elements.